UNM outfielder Sabrina Sandberg said it must run in her blood.
Her uncle, Chicago Cubs great Ryne Sandberg, is arguably one of the best second baseman's of all time, and her brother Jared plays second for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Ryne was traded to the Cubs in 1982, where he won nine straight Gold Gloves and played in the Major League All-Star game from 1984-1993. He was named National League MVP in 1984.
Despite the success and fame Sabrina's family has received on the national baseball scene, she said they didn't pressure her into playing on a diamond - it was a taste she acquired on her own.
"I hated girls," she said. "Well, I didn't hate them, but I hung out with boys all the time. So I played baseball from third grade until sixth grade. And then softball was the thing that girls kind of did, so I started that."
Sabrina said she started playing softball because there is no future for women in baseball.
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Jared is four years older than Sabrina, so she said she didn't have much of an opportunity to play with him.
"He's just old enough that I was just the 'little sister,'" she said. "I remember playing Wiffle-ball, and I usually got hurt because I was too little."
Sabrina also played basketball and soccer in high school, but she said softball is what she stuck with.
"It's just a thing that came back to me," she said. "I love it."
Sabrina was a four-year letter winner at her high school in Olympia, Wash., and her senior year she was named the MVP of her league. Sabrina still holds the Capital High School softball records for most singles in a season and most home runs.
Sabrina came to New Mexico because she wanted to live in a place where she could play outside every day. Since she's been at UNM, Sabrina has moved from shortstop to outfield - usually left - but she said that her game has improved in just about every aspect.
"It's weird because your whole game changes," she said. "You mature, and you lift weights consistently, so you get in a lot better shape, and you get stronger. In general, I think my game has improved overall."
Sabrina said one of her greatest skills is her ability to tailor her hitting according to the situation.
"I'm diverse because I can play a short game. I can bunt pretty good and get on base, and then I can also hit the powers when that situation arises," she said.
And the situation did arise Saturday afternoon against New Mexico State, when Sabrina sent the ball sailing over the centerfield wall in the fourth inning. She has proven to be one of the Lobos' most consistent hitters.
Sabrina and the Lobos will head to Denton, Texas this weekend for the Mean Green/Wells Fargo Classic.
Sabrina said Jared often comes to watch her play when he is in town and Ryne, who now lives in Phoenix, regularly attends her games in Arizona.
